BIRDS OF 'II IK PFAK 131 



back to the delicate S(>nj:^sters, to ^ive an impression of 

 the ring-ouzel ; for oddly enough I had hitherto had no 

 opportunity of really watching and listening to it during 

 the breeding season. Certain birds at certain times, or 

 on certain rare days, take possession of and hold us to 

 the exclusion of all others. A similar experience is 

 familiar to the lovers of the sublime and beautiful in 

 nature and art, in music and poetry. So (to compare 

 small things with great) we naturalists have our buzzard 

 or raven or wild geese days, and, better still, our days 

 with this or that fascinating melodist — black-cap or 

 blackbird, or linnet, or wheatear, or nightingale. And 

 when the day is finished and the mood over it is not 

 wholly over even then; we are like the poet who has 

 listened to voices even more unearthly than birds': 



I thenceforward and long after 

 Listen to their harp-like laughter. 

 And carry in my heart for days 

 Peace that hallows rudest ways. 



Moreover I was here on a special visit to this species; 

 he was more in my mind than the golden plover or any 

 other. I came to be more intimate with him — to have 

 my ring-ouzel day and mood. 



